As cliche as it might sound, the message from Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley has been constant: nailing the little issues all through a recreation will be the distinction between a win or loss.
Thursday’s 116-113 highway defeat to the Phoenix Suns was one other instance of the Magic studying this lesson the onerous means.
It’s straightforward to level to Josh Okogie blocking Paolo Banchero’s potential game-tying 3-point try with 3.1 seconds remaining to seal the win for Phoenix because the game-defining play.
But it shouldn’t be considered that means.
“Coming up short, it’s not just about that one play,” Mosley mentioned. “It’s not about that possession there. There’s fouling where we don’t need to foul. Fouling shooters. Little situations like that we have to keep understanding, those are the possessions that get you into end-of-game situations.”
Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz fouling 3-point shooters on the finish of the primary and second quarters resulted in a mixed 4 made Suns free throws. In a 3-point loss, these are game-changing moments.
Having 19 turnovers for 17 Phoenix factors hurts, particularly for a Magic staff that recurrently loses the 3-point battle and relies on successful the possession battle for a bonus.
These shortcomings didn’t cease them from getting back from down double digits and tying the sport at 101 with 5:52 remaining.
But the Magic’s 6 turnovers within the remaining 5 1/2 minutes prevented them from taking a late lead. Orlando solely took 6 photographs throughout that interval in comparison with the ten from the Suns, who solely had 2 giveaways.
Being extra constant in these methods — caring for the ball, not committing pointless fouls, boxing out and grabbing defensive rebounds — are among the many areas younger groups such because the Magic must hone in on.
“These guys are learning the intensity of games, the importance of possessions,” Mosley mentioned. “That means that possession in the first quarter goes a long way in the fourth quarter. Just understanding how important these possessions are, how hard you have to play and how smart you have to play the entire game.”
The Magic (28-42) will play back-to-back video games in Los Angeles towards the Clippers (37-33) on Saturday afternoon and the Lakers on Sunday night to shut out their four-game journey.
“The opportunity to put it all together,” Mosley mentioned of what he desires to see from the Magic over the following two video games. “You speak in regards to the effort and the power we had in San Antonio [that] we have been disillusioned in and also you see what we did with the power to bounce again after a tricky recreation.
“Do all of that and still accomplish doing the small things: boxing out, defend without fouling. All those little things.”
Second-year guard Jalen Suggs gained’t be out there towards the Clippers due to a concussion.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
